Universal corn cutter



June 29, 1943. c. E. KERR 2,323,092

' UNIVERSAL CORN CUTTER Filed June 23, 1941 4 SheetsShe'et 2 F-I EJEL lll'lllh IhI June 29, 1943.

c. E. KERR 2,323,092

UNIVERSAL CORN CUTTER Filed June 23, 1941 i 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 as, W- $1 Patented June 29, 1943 UNIVERSAL CORN CUTTER Charles E. Kerr, Hoopeston, Ill., assignor to Food Machinery Corporation, San Jose, Calif., a corporation of Delaware Application June 23, 1941, Serial No. 399,337

26 Claims.

This invention relates to a machine for cutting green corn from the cob for canning purposes.

The invention will be disclosed as embodied in a machine of the universal type shown in the patent to Schmidt No. 2,034,993, issued March 24, 1936.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved design of cutting head which will enable the corn to be out from the cob with a minimum of injury to the kernel. Heretofore, the kernels, after being cut from the cob, were thrown into contact with a revolving surface of the head, and since these cutter heads are usually rotated at speeds from 1000 to 1800 R. P. M., when the kernels struck this rapidly moving surface the impact sometimes bruised the kernels and loosened the starch which washed out, thus reducing the yield per ton. With my improved construction the kernels, after they are cut from the cob, do not come in contact with any moving part.

A further object of my invention is to provide an improved means for adjusting the spring pressure on the cutting knives.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means for adjusting the minimum opening of the knives.

Other objects will become apparent after the following disclosure of a machine in which the invention has been embodied.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the machine showing a portion of the feed trough in the lower left hand corner by means of which the ears of corn are fed into the machine.

Fig. '2 is a vertical transverse section taken as indicated by the line 2-2 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section taken as indicated by the line 33 in Fig. 1. I

V Fig. 4 is a detail view of an external gauge attached to a knife.

Figs. 5 to 12 disclose in detail the construction of my improved cutting head.

Fig. 5 is a plan view thereof as it appears when removed from the machine.

Fig. 6 is a section taken as indicated by the line 6-5 in Fig. 5.

Fig"? is a fragmentary section taken as indicated by the line 1'! in Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is afragmentary section taken as indicated by the line 8-8 in Fig. 5.

Fig. 9 is a bottom view of thecutting head with parts broken away to disclose certain parts within.

Fig. 10 is a section taken on the lines l0-I0 in Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary section taken on the line Hll in Fig. 9.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary section taken on line I2l2 in Fig. 9.

Figs. 13 and 14 are detail views of feed rolls.

The general construction and operation of the machine as a whole will be described first, and then the detailed construction of the improved cutting head will be described more in particular.

The machine is adapted to be mounted on a suitable base (not shown) which supports the machine at a convenient height for the operator to deposit the ears of corn in the feed trough 20 (Figs. 1 and 3). The framework of the machine comprises a main casting 2| (Fig. 2) to which is attached a housing 22 in which the cutting heads are mounted, as will presently be described more in detail.

The main drive shaft 23 (Fig. 2) is supported for rotation in the frame of the machine, and at one end is provided with an idler pulley 24 (Fig. 1) and a driving pulley 25 adapted to be driven from a source of power by means of a belt (not shown) which is shifted from one pulley to the other by means of a shifting fork 26 actuated by means of a shifting rod 21 in order to stop and start the machine. A lever 30 is disposed vvithin reach of the operators hand and is pivoted at 3| on abracket 32. The lever 30 has a jaw 33 in which a pin 34 secured to the shifting rod 21 is received. Thus. by swinging the lever 30 the operator is able to start and to stop the machine.

An auxiliary drive shaft (Figs. 1 and 2) is driven from the main drive shaft 23 by means of a pulley 4| secured to the'main drive shaft which is connected to a pulley 42 secured to the auxiliary drive shaft by means of a belt 43. The cutting heads receive their power from the auxiliary drive shaft 40, while the means for feeding the ears of corn through the machine receive their power from the main drive shaft '23. The latter will now be described.

A chain 45 (Figs. 1 and 3) is provided in the feed trough 20 for carrying the'ears of corn into the machine. This chain passes over a powerdriven sprocket 46 on a shaft 41. A universal joint 48 connects the shaft 41 with a shaft 49 connected bya universal joint 50 with a shaft 5| that is driven from the main drive shaft 23 by means of worm gearing (not shown) which is located inside the housing 52.

The cars of corn are carried along the trough 20 (Fig. 3) with their axes disposed in the line 53, and the ears are fed through the cutting heads in this same straight line. A pair of feed rolls 54, 55 receives each ear of corn as it emerges from the trough 2D and feeds it into the machine. A second pair of feed rolls 55, 51 cooperates with the first pair 54, 55 to align the axis of the ear with the axis of the first cutting head 69, whose axis is coincident with the line of feed 53, and to feed the ear into the cutting head.

The feed rolls 54, 55, 55, 5'! are similar in construction, each being preferably made of rubber and provided with upstanding ribs 6! Each roll is also spool-shaped (Fig. 14) so that each pair of rolls centers the ear of corn horizontally, placing it in alignment with the axis of the cutting head 60. By employing ribbed rubber feed rolls good traction is obtained on the ear of corn without injuring the kernels.

As the ear leaves the first head 61? it passes between another pair of feed rolls $2, 63 which feed it into the second head 64. These feed rolls may be constructedof metal and provided with prongs or teeth 65 (Fig. 13) which penetrate the ear of corn and aid the feeding thereof. The diameter of the rolls 62, 63 is preferably less than that of the preceding rolls to accelerate the feed of each ear in order to make way for the following ear. After the cob leaves the second head 54 it passes between the rolls 66, 61 which are of less diameter than the rolls 62, 63 to further ac- 'celerate the feed. This pair of rolls discharges the cob from the machine through the outlet 68.

- Each of the four pairs of feed rolls just described has a means for resiliently urging the rolls into contact with the ear of corn and is provided with means for equalizing the movement of the two rolls of the pair. Since the means employed for each pair of rolls is identical with that employed for the other pairs, a description of one will suffice. The feed rolls 62, 63 (Fig. 3) for example, are secured to shafts 70, H, respectively. As shown in Fig. the shafts HI, ll are con nected by means of universal joints i2, 13 with stub shafts l4, 75 which are suitably journallecl in the frame of the machine. The shafts i l, have worm gears 16, 71 secured thereto which mesh with a worm '18 cut in the main drive shaft 23. Uponrotation of the drive shaft the stub shafts 14, 15 are rotated in opposite directions, causing rotation of the feed roll shafts l3 and H which are freeto swing up and down on account of the universal joint connections l2, 13.

The feed roll shafts 10, H (Fig. 2) are confined to swinging movement in a vertical plane by bearing blocks 80, 8| in which the shafts 10, H are rotatable, which bearing blocks are guided for vertical movement in a channel 82 (Fig. 1) formed in the frame work. An upper equalizing arm 83 (Fig. 2') has a trunnion 84 which fits in an arcuate groove 85 in the bearing block 80. The arm 83 is pivoted on a shaft 85 which is rigidly mounted in the frame work. A similar equalizing arm 8'! engages the lower bearing block BI and this arm is pivotally mounted on a fixed shaft 88. The equalizing arm 83 has an apertured lug 89 (Fig. 1) throu'gh which a bolt 90 passes. The bolt, 90 (Fig. 2) extends vertically downward through a similar apertured lug (not shown) on the lower equalizing arm 81. A compression spring 9| is interposed between the lower equalizing arm 81 and the head 92 of the bolt, and a similar compression springi93'is interposed between the arm 83 and the nut 9 1. The springs 9|, 93 press inwardly on the equalizing arms 83, 8'! which urge the bearing blocks 80, 8! toward each other, thus urging the feed roll end of the feed roll shafts 10, H toward each other to press the feed rolls into engagement with the ear of corn.

To equalize the swinging movement of the shafts 10, ll the arms 83, 81 are interconnected for equal movement. The lower arm 81 has a short upstanding arm I00 provided with a tooth [0! which engages in a jaw or tooth space H12 formed on the lower end of a lever I03 rotatably mounted on the shaft 86. The lever m3 extends upwardly above the shaft 86 and the upper end (which appears at I04 in Fig. 1) is disposed between the adjusting screws Hi5, It. The arm 83 has formed integrally therewith an upstanding arm I01 which has formed at its upper end a U- shaped portion I08 through the parallel flanges of which the screws I 05, I96 are threaded. By turning the screws I05, I06 the angular position of the arm 83 relative to the arm H98, and thus relative to the arm 81, can be adjusted.

When this mechanism has been properly adjusted the feed rolls 62, 63 are normally disposed as shown in Fig. 3 at equal distances above and below the line of feed 53. When an ear of corn emerging from the head (it engages either or both the feed rolls 62, 63 they resiliently yield and move vertically, the roll 62 moving upwardly and th roll 63 moving downwardly. On account of the interconnectedequalizing arms 83, 8'! (Fig. 2) the feed rolls will always be disposed at equal distances from the feed line 53, so that the ear of corn is maintained with its axis coincident with this line of feed.

As previously stated a similar mechanism is provided for each of the other three pairs of feed rolls. These mechanisms can be seen in Fig. l and are indicated generally by the reference numerals H0, III, H2. Likewise, there are four similar worms, of which the worm 78 (Fig. 2) is one, cut in the driving shaft 23 for driving the four pairs of feed roll shafts. The feeding mechanism will not be described in any further detail because it corresponds in general with the construction employed in machines of this type, as illustrated by the patent to Schmidt referred to above.

Proceedin now with the description of the cutting head construction, it is to be noted that the basic structure of the head is so designed as to permit the use of different instrumentalities such as the knives H5 (Fig. 3) employed in the first cutting head 60 and the scrapers I I6 employed in supported on an annular bearing member I20 which is adapted, as will presently be explained. to be secured in a fixed position in the machine.

The bearing member 121) has a conical portion 1 2| (Fig. 6) which is disposed co-axially with the axis of the head and surrounding the cutting edges E23 of the knives I I5, so that it encompasses the cutting zone, that is, the zone in which the .kernels are cut from the cob. The outer face I25 of this conical portion provides the bearing and supporting surface for a rotatable gear I 26, having a hub l 27 provided with an annular conical surface adapted to fit the bearing face I25. It will be understood that when the cutting head is mounted in the machine the bearing member I20 remains fixed and the gear I26 rotates thereon.

There are a plurality of identical knives II5, each pivotally mounted on the gear I26 and rotatable therewith. The hub I21 of the gear I26 has a series of tapped holes I28 (Fig. 6) in which the knife pivot pins I29 are threaded. Each pin I29 has an annular bearing portion I 30, the under side of which forms a shoulder I3I whichengages the face I32 of the hub I21 when the pivot pin I29 is screwed into the hole I28, so that the pivot pin I29 is rigidly mounted in the hub of the gear I26.

Each knife I I (Figs. 6 and 9) comprises a portion I33 adjacent th cutting edge I23 which is disposed longitudinally of the axis of the cutting head and a portion I34 integral therewith which extends radially and outwardly from the axis of the head. This portion I34 has an aperture I35 into which the bearing portion I30 of the pivot pin I29 fits, so that the knife H5 is rotatable on the pivot pin I29. As shown in Fig. 9, the knife II5 has a portion I36 which extends beyond the pivot I 29 to provide a weight in the knife on the opposite side of the pivot I29 which tends to balance the weight of the knife in the portions I33, I34 on the other side of the pivot I29 when the knives are under the influence of centrifugal force resulting from the rapid rotation thereof in operation.

Each knife has a notch I41 (Fig. 9) in the peripheral portion I48 which fits around the head I49 of a pin I50 (Fig. 6) secured in an equalizing ring I5I. An annular shoulder I52 is formed on the hub I21 of the gear I26 to provide a bearing seat for the equalizing ring I5I which is rotatable relative to the gear I26. This arrangement serves to equalize the movement of the six knives because a movement of any one about its pivot pin results in a correspondin movement of the other knives due to the fact that when any knife is rotated on its pivot it shifts the equalizing ring by reason of the engagement of its notch with the pin in the ring, thus rotating the other knives an equal amount on their pivots. When an ear of corn is fed through the cutting head it presses the knives outwardly, and through the action of the equalizing ring I 5|, the knives expand in iris fashion, their cutting edges I23 always being equidistant from the axis of the head.

Means are provided for adjustably determining the minimum opening of the knives. A finger I60 (Figs. 9 and 12) is slidably disposed in a slot I6I formed in the under side of the equalizing ring I5I. The finger I60 has a rounded end I62 which engages in the end of a notch I63 formed in the hub I21 of the gear I26. The outer end of the finger I60 has an up-turned flange I64 formed integrally therewith, which is apertured and'split at I65 to receive an adjustingscrew I66 which is threaded into the equalizing ring I5I. When the screw I66 is turned the finger I60 is "either projected inwardly in the slot I6I or is withdrawn outwardly therefrom. This results in locating the end I62 of the finger I60 in a selected position, so that, upon engagement with the end of the notch I63 in the gear hub I21, it determines the minimum opening of the knives. For example, in Fig. 9, assuming the gear hub I21 is standing motionless, the knife pivots I29 will also be stationary. Now, if the equalizing ring I5I is turned counterclockwise it will turn the knives counterclockwise on their pivots I29, causing the cutting edges to be moved inwardly. The rotation of the ring and the movement of the knives ceases when the finger I60 engages the end of the notch I63 in the gear hub. Therefore, by turning the screw I66 the minimum diameter of the knife opening, indicated by the line I61, can be adjusted. The equalizing ring I5I is urged in this counterclockwise direction in Fig. 9 by a spring means which will now be described.

Referring to Figs. 6 and 9, it will be noted that the pins I50, whose heads I49 engage in the notches I41 of the knives, project into arouate cavities or slots I68 formed in a ring I69, which is disposed immediately adjacent the equalizing ring I5I and which is rotatably mounted on an annular shoulder I10 formed on. the hub I21 of the gear I26. Disposed in the slots I68 are springs III which exert pressure on the pins I50. As a result the equalizing ring. I5I is urged counterclockwise in Fig. 9 and each of the knives is urged counterclockwise on its pivot pin I29. The compression of the springs I1I can be adjusted by means which will now be described.

Referring to Figs. 9, 10, and 11, the hub I21-ofthe gear I26 has a cylindrical recess I13 formed therein and a pinion I14 is loosely disposed .in said recess. The pinion I14, which is provided with a slotted head I15 to permit the turning thereof by means of a screw driver, meshes with a segment of rack teeth I16 formed on the ring I69. Therefore, when the pinion I14 is turned the ring I69 is turned relative to the gear I26. For example, in Fig. 9, if the pinion I14 is turned counterclockwise the ring I69 will be turned counterclockwise. This will result in compressing the springs I1I, thus putting a greater pressure on the knives. A look screw I11 is threaded int-o the hub I21 and passes through a washer I18 which is clamped against the pinion I14 when the screw I11 is tightened. In this manner the pinion-"I14 and the rack I16 can be locked in adjusted position, thus fixing the ring I69 with respect to .the hub I21 to maintain the desired compression of the springs I1 I.

In practice the springs are adjusted to the point where they will exert just sufiicient pressure on the knives to prevent the knives from opening under centrifugal force alone when the head is in operation. As a result the knives have a delicate floating action which enables them to respond sensitively to the uneven contour of the ear, instantly opening and closing in order to accurately follow the shape of the ear. In addition, the screw I66 is adjusted to determine the minimum opening I61 of the knives. The operator in making this adjustment is guided by the shape and size of the ears of corn. This adjustment enables him to set the knives at whatever opening will facilitate the beginning of the cut by the knives. It will be apparent that the provision of an adjusting screw, which is accessible from the exterior of the head and which permits the adjustment to be made without disassembling the head, results in greater ease of adjustment and enables the operator to make accurate adjustmentsfor varying conditions.

The ring I69 (Fig. 6) and the gear I26 ar retained in the head with the conical surface of the gear hub I21 against the conical bearing surface I25 of the bearing member I20 by means of a thrust bearing I19 which is a. ling ofL- section. A series of screws I (Figs. 5 and '1) equally spaced around the periphery of the bearing member I20, securethe bearing member I20 and the thrust bearing I19 together. Set screws I8I adjacent each of the screws 90 can be adjusted to determine the clearance between the bearing members I20, I19 and the parts rotatable therein, namely, the gear I23 and the ring I69. .It will be noted that the inwardly-extending flange I82 of the thrust bearing I19 overlaps'the outwardly-extending flange I33 of the ring I09.

.The axial thrust is taken between these two overlapping surfaces.

The equalizing ring IEiI and the knives are held in place by means of a retaining ring I84 which is provided with arcuate slots I33 (Fig.9)

which are formed at one end I89 to admit the heads I81 of the pivot pins I29. The remainder of the slot on either side is provided with shoulders I88, I 89 (Figs. 6 and 9) which engage beneath the head I81 of the pin to retain the re taining ring I92 in place. t will be understood that the ring is first placed over the heads of g the pins and then is rotated counterclockwise in Fig. 9 to locate the pins in the other ends of. the slots and engage the shoulders of the slots under the heads of the pins. The ring is held in this position by means of a leaf spring I90 (Fig. 9) which is attached to the retaining ring by means of a screw I9I, the end I92 of the leaf I90 dropping behind the head of the adjacent pivot pin and thus preventing the retaining ring from coming loose by rotating clockwise.

In order to lubricate the bearing surface I 25 (Fig. 8) an oil passage is provided which comprises a drilled hole E93 which extends from the periphery I94 of the bearing member I20 to the conical portion I2I where it communicates with a channel I95 which is covered by a plate I96 secured to the bearing member by, cap screws I91. A drilled passage I 98 connects the other end of the channel I95 with the bearing surface Thus it will be seen that the cutting head is a unit comprising the bearing members I20 and I19 within which the gear I26 is rotatable, the knives and the equalizing ring II being retained on the gear by the retaining ring I 84. The cutting head as a unit is adapted to be mounted in the housing 22 which has two walls I99, 200 (Fig. 3) provided with ledges on which the peripheries of the bearing members I20, I19

To accurately locate the unit in position rest. the bearing member I has a rim 20! formed thereon which fits in grooves formed in the housing at 202, 203, and 204 (Fig. 2). A dowel pin 205 secured to the housing and disposed in the groove 204 fits into a notch 206 in the rim 20I to locate the unit in a predetermined position in the housing where the gear I26 can be enmeshed with the driving pinion 201 on the drive shaft 40. The bearing members I20, I19 are cut away at 208 to permit engagement of the gears.

After the unit has been placed in the housing with the gears in mesh an arcuate cover 209 hinged to the housing at 2I0 is swung down over the unit to hold it securely in place. The cover has a groove 2 (Fig. 3) into which the rim 20I fits. A clamping bolt 2I2 (Fig. 2) pivoted to the housing at 2'I3 is adapted to be swung up into a slot 2I4 formed in the cover and has a wing nut 2I5 which is screwed down to clamp the cover on the cutting head. When it is desired to remove the head from the housing the cover is unclamped and swung up, after which the unit can be lifted out of the housing.

7 Substantially identical means are provided for I mounting the second cutting head in the housing. These comprise, briefly, the walls 2I6, 2I1 (Fig. 3) formed in the housing on which the unit rests and a hinged cover 2I8 having a groove 2I9 to fit the rim 20I adapted tobe secured in place by means of a clamping bolt 2I8' (Fig.1).

The heads 60 and 64 shown in Fig. 3 are structural duplicates of the head which has been described in detail by reference to Figs. 5 to 12. However, to illustrate the different instrumentalities which can be used in this head construction the knives in the head 60 in Fig. 3 are shown equipped with external gauges. Each of these knives has a gauge 229 which is attached thereto by a screw 22I (Fig. 4). The gauge has an arcuate surface 222 disposed in advance of the knife which engages the ear of corn externally. It will be noted in Fig. 4 that the screw 22! passes through a slot 223 in the gauge which permits the surface 222 to be adjusted relative to the cutting edge I23 of the knife to determine the depth of cut. The head 64 (Fig. 3) is shown equipped with scrapers H6 which have surfaces 225 that engage the cob to press out the cream remaining in the base of the kernels after the tops have been cut off in the first head 60.

As shown in Fig. 3 the machine is equipped for cutting cream-style corn. If whole grain corn is to be cut the gauges are removed from the knives which then gauge from the cob in a well-known manner. When cutting whole-grain corn the scraper head is removed from the machine.

The knives and the scrapers differ only in the structure of the parts which come into engagement with the ear of corn. Otherwise, they are identical in construction so that any head can be fitted with whichever instrumentality is desired. Furthermore, on account of the removability of the heads as units, the conversion of the machine for cutting one style of corn to another is readily efiected. The operator merely has to release the wing nuts, open the covers, and lift the heads out of the machine. The replacement heads are then inserted in the manner previously described and are secured in place by clamping down the covers again.

After the desired heads have been placed in the machine the operator swings the lever 30 (Fig. 1) to move the belt to the driving pulley 25 which causes the various mechanisms for feeding and cutting the corn shown in Fig. 3 to be set in motion. He then places the ears of corn in the feed trough 20 with the tips of the ears pointing toward the, machine, that is, to the left in Fig. 3. The chain carries the ears one after another in succession to the first pair of feed rolls 56, 59 which resiliently engage each ear and feed it into the second pair of feed rolls 56, 51 which align the ear with the first cutting head 60 and feed the ear into the knives H5.

The knives H5 open by turning on the pivot pins I29. The opening of the knives is equalized by the engagement of each knife with one of the pins I in the equalizing ring I5I so that the cutting edges of the knives are maintained equidistant from the axis 53. As the knives whirl around the advancing ear the kernels are cut off.

. The cut kernels strike the conical or dished face I2l of the stationary bearing member I20 which shields the knifecarrier I21 from contact by them and directs them away from the knives and carrier. The kernels then drop through the opening 230 in the bottom of th housing 22. Thus it will be seen that by employing this construction of cuttting head a stationary surface encompasses the cutting zone so that the kernels which are cut from the ear do not come into engagement with any moving part, the advantage of this construction being that the kernels are removed from the cutting zone with a minimum of bruising, injury and loss of starch. This is particularly advantageous when cutting wholegrain corn when it is desirable to preserve the whole kernel intact after it has been cut from the cob.

The ear is drawn out of the first cutting head by the feed rolls B2, 63 which feed it with accelerated speed into the second cutting head. The material removed by the second head drops downwardly through the opening 23I in the housing 22 for removal from the machine. The cobs are discharged from the machine by the last pair of feed rolls 6B, 61.

It is to be noted that the stationary member I of the cutting head which is so designed as to present a stationary surface against which the cut kernels are thrown, serves a triple function in that it also serves as the means for mounting the head in the machine and provides the support and bearing for the gear I26 which in turn carries all the other moving part of the head. I have also provided an improved and eflicient means for bearing the thrust and means for adjusting the clearance between the moving parts and the bearing surfaces in th screws I80 and set screws IBI. The minimum opening of the knives can be quickly and easily adjusted by means of the adjusting screw I66. Likewise the spring pressure on the knives canbe readily altered to meet the different requirements of use by turning the pinion I14.

Having thus described my invention and in what manner the sam may be used, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination, a gear, a plurality of knives pivoted thereon, means to support said gear for rotation, means including a ring rotatable with respect to said gear to equalize the pivotal movement of said knives, spring means to urge said ring in a direction to close said knives, and cooperating means on said gear and said ring to limit the closing of said knives, including a finger slidable in said ring, the tip of said finger being disposed in the path of an obstruction on said gear, n

and a screw to adjustably slide said finger.

2. In combination, a rotatable element, a knife pivoted thereon, a compression spring adapted to urge said knife in a direction on said pivot to move the cutting edge toward the axis of rotation of said element, and means to vary the force exerted by said spring on said knife including a spring carrying member adjustable with respect to said element and means for locking said member relative to said element.

3. In combination, a rotatable element, a plurality of knives pivoted thereon, means including a ring rotatable with respect to said element to equalize the pivotal movement of said knives, spring means engaging said ring to urge said ring in a direction to close said knives, and means to vary the force exerted by said spring means on said equalizing ring including a member adjustable with respect to said element.

. 4. In combination, a rotatable element, a plurality of knives pivoted thereon, an equalizing ring on said element rotatable with respect thereto for equalizing the pivotal movement of said knives, a spring ring rotatable with respect to said element having spring means engaging and applying rotative force to said equalizing ring in a direction to close said knives, and means to prevent rotation of said spring ring relative to said element.

5. In combination, a rotatable element, a plurality of knives pivoted thereon, an equalizing ring on said element rotatable with respect thereto for equalizing the pivotal movement of said knives, a spring ring rotatable with respect to said element having spring means engaging and applying rotative force to said equalizing ring in a direction to close said knives, and means in positive engagement with said spring ring to rotate said spring ring relative to said element to alter the amount of force applied by said spring means on said equalizing ring.

6. In combination, a rotatable element, a plurality of knives pivoted thereon, an equalizing ring on said element rotatable with respect there- .to for equalizing the pivotal movement of said knives, a spring ring rotatable with respect to said element having spring means engaging and applying rotative force to said equalizing ring in a direction to close said knives, and positive means to rotate said spring ring relative to said element to alter the amount of force applied by said spring means on said equalizing ring comprising a rack on said spring ring, and a pinion on said element.

7. In combination, a rotatable element, a plurality of knives pivoted thereon, an equalizing ring on said element rotatable with respect thereto for equalizing the pivotal movement of said knives, a spring ring rotatable With respect to said element having spring means engaging and applying rotative force to said equalizing ring in a direction to close said knives, and means to rotate said spring ring relative to said element to alter the amount of force applied by said spring means on said equalizing ring comprising a rack on said spring ring, and a pinion on said element, and means to prevent rotation of said pinion.

8. In combination, a rotatable element, a plurality of knives pivoted thereon, an equalizing ring for equalizing the pivotal movement of said knives, a spring ring having spring means engaging and applying a rotative force on said equalizing ring in a direction to close said knives, means to adjust the position of said spring ring on said element to determine the amount of said force, and means to limit the closing of said knives comprising an adjustable stop on said equalizing ring and interposed between said equalizing ring and said element.

9. A green corn cutting apparatus comprising a rotary knife carrier journalled for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis and having a central opening therein to permit ears of corn to be passed endwise therethrough, a kernel cutt ng knife carried by said carrier for rotation therewith and positioned to shear kernels from the ears of corn passed through said opening, said knife being mounted for movement toward and away from the axis of said opening, and a stationary shield surrounding the path of revolution of said knife and disposed intermediate said path and said carrier to shield the carrier from kernels cut by said knife from ears of corn passing through said opening, said shield having an axially inclined kernel receiving surface to direct said kernels away from said carrier.

10. A green corn cutting apparatus comprising a rotary knife carrier journalled for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis and having a central opening therein to permit ears of corn to be passed endwise therethrough, means for feeding ears of corn along said axis and through the opening in said carrier, a kernel cutting knife carried by said carrier for rotation therewith and positioned to shear kernels from the ears of corn passed through said opening, said knife being mounted for movement toward and away from the axis of said opening, and a stationary shield surrounding the path of revolution of said knife and disposed to that side of the carrier from which the ears are fed and intermediate said path and said carrier to shield the carrier from kernels cut by said knife from ears of corn passing through said opening, said shield having an axially inclined kernel receiving surface to direct said kernels away from said carrier in a direction opposite to the direction of feed of said ears.

11. A green corn cutting apparatus comprising a rotary knife carrier journalled for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis and having a central opening therein to permit ears of corn to be passed endwise therethrough, a kernel cutting knife carried by said carrier for rotation therewith and positioned to shear kernels from the ears of corn passed through said opening, said knife being mounted for movement toward and away from the axis of said opening, and a stationary bearing on which said carrier is journalled, said bearing being provided with a shield portion surrounding the path of revolution of said knife and disposed intermediate said path andsaid carrier to shield the carrier from kernels cut by said knife from ears of corn passing through said opening, said shield portion having an axially inclined kernel receiving surface to direct said kernels away from said carrier.

12. A green corn cutting apparatus comprising a rotary knife carrier journalled for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis and having a central passageway therein to permit ears of corn to be passed endwise therethrough, means for feeding ears of corn along said axis and through said passageway, a kernel cutting knife mounted on the cob discharge side of said carrier for rotation therewith and projecting into said passageway in position to shear kernels from the ears of corn-passed through said passageway, said knife being mounted for movement toward and away from the axis of said passageway, and a stationary bearing on which said carrier is journalled, said bearing being provided with a shield portion disposed in said passageway and surrounding the path of revolution of said knife to shield the carrier from kernels out by said knife from ears of corn passing through said passageway, said shield having an axially inclined kernel receiving surface to direct said kernels out of said passageway away from said carrier in a direction opposite to the direction of feed of said ears.

13. A green corn cutting apparatus comprising a rotary knife carrier having a central opening therein to permit ears of corn to be passed endwise therethrough, and provided with an annular bearing surface surrounding said opening, a kernel cutting knife carried by said carrier for rotation therewith and positioned to shear kernels from the ears of corn passed through said opening, said knife being mounted for movement toward and away from the axis of said opening, and; a stationary annular bearing on which the bearing surface of said carrier is journalled for rotation of the carrier about a horizontal axis, said bearing surrounding the path of revolution of said knife and disposed intermediate said path and said carrier to shield the carrier from kernels cut by said knife from cars of corn passing through said opening, and said bearing also having an axially inclined kernel receiving surface to direct said kernels away from said carrier.

14. A green corn cutting apparatus comprising a rotary knife carrier having a central opening therein to permit ears of corn to be passed end Wise therethrough, a kernel cutting knife carried by said carrier for rotation therewith and positioned to shear kernels from the ears of corn passed through said opening, said knife being mounted for movement toward and away from theaxis of said opening, and a stationary annular bearing on which said carrier is journalled for rotation about a horizontal axis, said bearing having at least a portion thereof in the general form of a truncated cone, the outer surface of which forms a tapered bearing surface for said carrier, and the inner face of which forms a coned kernel receiving surface surrounding the path of revolution of said knife and disposed intermediate said path and said carrier to shield the carrier from kernels out by said knif from cars of corn passing through said opening and to receive and direct said kernels away from said carrier.

15. A green corn cutting apparatus comprising a stationary framework, a bearing removably mounted in said framework in fixed position, a rotary knife carrier journalled on said bearing for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis and having a central opening therein to permit ears of corn to be passed endwise therethrough, means for feedingears of corn along said axis and through the opening in said carrier, and a kernel cutting knife carried by said carrier for rotation therewith and positioned to shear kernels from the ears of corn passed through said opening, said knifebeing mounted for movement toward and away from the axis of said opening, said bearing having a shield portion surrounding the path of revolution of said knife and disposed tothat side of the carrier from which the ears are fed intermediate said path and said carrier to shieldthe carrier from kernels cut by said knife from ears of corn passing through said opening, said shield portion having an axially inclined kernel receiving surface to direct said kernels away from said carrier.

16. A green corn cutting apparatus comprising a stationary framework, a stationary bearing rcmovably mounted therein, a cover to hold said bearing in place in said framework, said bearing having an annular rim adapted to fit in a groove in said cover, a knife carrier journalled on said bearing for rotation about a substantially horizontalaxis and provided with a central opening therein to permit ears of corn to be passed endwise therethrough, and a kernel cutting knife carried by said carrier for rotation therewith and positioned to shear kernels from the ears of corn passed through said opening, said bearing being provided with a tapered kernel receiving surface surrounding the path of revolution of said knife and disposed intermediate said path and said carrier to shield the carrier from kernels cut by said knife from cars of corn passing through said opening and to receive and direct said kernels away from said carrier. A i

17. A green corn cutting apparatus comprising a rotary knife carrier having a central opening therein to permit ears of corn to be passed endwise therethrough, a kernel cutting knife carried by said carrier for rotation therewith and positioned to shear kernels from the ears of corn passed through said opening, a stationary bearing for said carrier formed to partially nclose saidcarrier to shield it from kernels out by said knife from ears of corn passing through said opening, an annular thrust bearing attached to said first mentioned bearing to retain said carrier therein, and adjustable means to limit the clearance between said thrust bearing and said carrier.

18. A green corn cutting apparatus comprising a knife carrier journalled for rotation about an axis and having a central opening therein to permit ears of corn to be passed endwise therethrough, means for feeding ears of corn along said axis and through said opening, a kernel cutting knife oarried by said carrier for rotation therewith and positioned to shear kernels from the ears of corn passed through said opening, a stationary bearing for rotatablysupporting said carrier having a portion encompassing the cutting zone of said knife and having a periphery disposed at a greater distance from said axis than the periphery of said carrier, said bearing enclosing the feed side of said carrier and providing a surface intermediate the cutting zone and carrier to shield the carrier from kernels cut by said knife from said ears passing through said opening and to receive and direct said kernels away from said carrier, an annular thrust bearing engaging the other side of said carrier, and means for securing said thrust bearing to said peripheral portion of said first mentioned bearing.

19. A green corn cutting apparatus comprising a housing having a discharge port, a cutter head removably mounted in said housing to one side of said port and including a stationary hearing and an apertured rotary knife carrier journalled in said bearing for rotation about a horizontal axis, a kernel cutting knife carried by said carrier for rotation therewith and positioned to shear kernels from ears of corn passed through the aperture for said carrier, and means for feeding ears of corn through said aperture, said bearing being formed to fit against the inner wall of said housing to form a. shield for the feed side of said carrier, and to cooperate with the housing to form a stationary enclosed discharg chamber for the out kernels, said bearing also being disposed to encompass the cutting zone of said knife and being provided with an inclined surface for receiving the out kernels and directing them away from the carrier to said discharge port,

20. A green corn cutting apparatus comprising a rotary knife carier having a centrai opening therein to permit ears of corn to be passed endwise therethrough and provided with an annular tapered bearing surface surrounding said opening, a kernel cutting kn fe carried by oerrier for rotation therewith and positioned to out the carrier and on which the latter surface is rotatably journalled. I

21. A green corn cutting apparatus comprising a rotary knife carrier journalled for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis and having acentral opening therein to permit ears of corn to be passed endwise therethrough, a, kernel cutting knife carried by said-carrier forrotation therewith and positioned to shear kernels from the ears 'of corn passed through said opening, said knife being mounted for movement toward and away from the axis of said-opening, and a stationary annular shield having a conical kernel receiving surface surrounding the cutting zone of said knife and disposed intermediate said zone and said carrier to shield the carrier from kernels cut by said knife from ears of cornpassing through said opening and to receive and direct saidkernels away from said carrier.

22'. A green corn cutting apparatus comprising a housing having akernel discharge port, a rotary knife carrier journalled within said housing to one side of said port for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis and having a central opening therein to permit ears of corn to be passed endwise therethrough, a kernel cutting knife carried by said carrier for rotation therewith and positioned to shear kernels from the ears of corn passed through said opening, said knife being mounted for movement toward and away from the axis of said opening, and a stationary shield surrounding the path of revolution of said knife and disposed intermediate said path and said carrier to shield the carrier from kernels out by said knife from ears of corn passing through said opening, said shield having an axially inclined kernel receiving surface to direct said kernels away from said carrier, and to said discharge port.

23. A green corn cutting apparatus comprising a rotary knife carrier journalled for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis and having a central passageway therein to permit ears of corn to be passed endwise therethrough, means for feeding ears of corn along said axis and through said passageway, a kernel cutting knife mounted on the cob discharge side of said carrier for rotation therewith and projecting into said passageway in position to shear kernels from the ears of corn passed through said passageway, said knife being mounted for movement toward and away from the axis of said passageway, and a stationary shield disposed in said passageway and surrounding the path of revolution of said knife to shield the carrier from kernels cut by said knife from cars of corn passing through said passageway, said shield having an axially inclined kernel receiving surface to direct said kernels out of said passageway away from the carrier.

24. A green corn cutting apparatus comprising a rotary knife carrier having a central opening therein to permit ears of corn to be passed endwise therethrough, a kernel cutting knife carried by said carrier for rotation therewith and positioned to shear kernels from the ears of corn passed through said opening, a stationary housing for said carrier including a cover having a funnel-shaped opening in alignment with the opening in said carrier and an annular bearing surrounding said opening within said cover, said knife carrier being rotatably journalled on said bearing, the inner surface of said funnel-shaped opening projecting into the opening in said carrier and forming a shield to receive kernels out by said knife from ears of corn passing through said carrier and direct them away from the carrier.

25. A green corn cutting head comprising a rotary knife carrier having opposite ends a central opening therein to permit ears of corn to be passed endwise therethrough and provided with an inner annular bearing surface surrounding said opening, and a stationary housing for said carrier including a cover for one end of the carrier having an opening in registry with the opening in said carrier, and having an annular portion extending toward the other end of said carrier and within the same providing on its inner face a bearing on which the bearing surface of said carrier is rotatably journalled, a thrust bearing positioned against the other end of said carrier, and cooperating with said cover to form the housing, and means for securing said cover and thrust bearing together to retain said carrier on said bearing in said housing.

26. In combination, a rotatable knife carrier, a plurality of cutting knives pivotally mounted therein in iris arrangement, a removable retaining plate for said cutting knives, an equalizing ring on said carrier, rotatable with respect thereto and having pins engaged with said knives for equalizing the pivotal movement of said knives to cause them to move iris fashion, a spring ring interposed between said carrier and equalizing ring and including spring slots, springs positioned in said slots and engaging projections of said equalizing pins for urging said equalizing ring in a direction to close said cutting knives, means for varying the force exerted by said springs on said equalizing ring, and means for limiting the extent of closure of said cutting knives.

CHARLES E. KERR. 

